The Hidden Costs of Budget Airlines in Europe: Ryanair vs easyJet Baggage Fees on a 5-City Summer Trip
A €19.99 flight from Barcelona to Rome in June sounds like a steal—until your “cheap” ticket quietly doubles at checkout.
Late spring is when everyone starts locking in summer itineraries: Barcelona beaches in June, Rome before the August heat, Berlin festival season, Amsterdam canals in full bloom, and Lisbon rooftops at golden hour. Budget airlines dominate these routes. But baggage fees? That’s where Ryanair and easyJet make their money.
Key Takeaways
- Ryanair small cabin bag: free; 10kg cabin bag costs €6–€36 per flight.
- easyJet large cabin bag requires Speedy Boarding: from €7.99 per flight.
- Checked bag (20kg): Ryanair €18.99–€59.99 vs easyJet €9.49–€44.99.
- On a 5-city summer route, baggage can add €120–€280 round-trip.
- Airport check-in bag fees can hit €69.99+ per flight—never wait.
Let’s break down what really happens on a 5-city summer trip: Barcelona → Rome → Berlin → Amsterdam → Lisbon.
The Route: Real Summer Fares (May–July 2026)
These are typical one-way base fares booked 6–8 weeks out for June 2026 travel:
| Route | Ryanair Base Fare | easyJet Base Fare | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona → Rome | €24.99 | €38.99 | 1h 50m |
| Rome → Berlin | €29.99 | €42.00 | 2h 10m |
| Berlin → Amsterdam | €22.99 | €35.99 | 1h 20m |
| Amsterdam → Lisbon | €39.99 | €54.99 | 3h 05m |
At first glance, Ryanair looks €10–€15 cheaper per leg. Over four flights, that’s roughly €50 saved.
But baggage changes everything.
Carry-On Rules: Where the Game Begins
Ryanair (May 2026 Policy)
- Free: 1 small personal bag (40x20x25cm)
- Priority + 10kg cabin bag: €6–€36 per flight
- Non-priority 10kg checked bag: €12.99–€29.99
The free bag is tiny. Think small backpack, not a roller. Gate agents do measure—especially at busy summer hubs like Barcelona-El Prat.
easyJet (May 2026 Policy)
- Free: 1 small under-seat bag (45x36x20cm)
- Large cabin bag (56x45x25cm): Requires Speedy Boarding or seat upgrade (€7.99–€29.99)
easyJet’s free allowance is slightly more generous in depth and width. That matters if you travel with a soft weekender.
Comparison: Ryanair’s free bag is smaller (40cm height vs easyJet’s 45cm). If you pack strategically, easyJet wins for minimalist summer travelers.
Checked Baggage: The Real Cost Explosion
Planning a 3-week trip across five cities? You’ll probably want a 20kg checked bag.
| Ryanair 20kg | easyJet 23kg | |
|---|---|---|
| Online (early booking) | €18.99–€39.99 | €9.49–€29.49 |
| Peak summer dates | Up to €59.99 | Up to €44.99 |
| At airport | €69.99+ | €48–€60 |
Yes, you read that right. Show up at the airport without pre-booking and Ryanair can charge nearly €70 for a single bag.
On four flights, that’s €280 in baggage alone—more than your flights combined.
5-City Cost Breakdown: Realistic Summer Scenario
Let’s calculate two scenarios:
Scenario A: Carry-On Only (Realistic Summer Packing)
You bring a proper cabin roller (not tiny backpack).
Ryanair:
Priority + 10kg cabin bag average €20 per flight × 4 = €80
easyJet:
Speedy Boarding average €15 per flight × 4 = €60
Difference: easyJet saves about €20.
Add base fares:
- Ryanair flights total: ~€118
- easyJet flights total: ~€171
Total with carry-on:
- Ryanair: €118 + €80 = €198
- easyJet: €171 + €60 = €231
Ryanair still cheaper by ~€33. But not the €50–€70 gap you expected.
Scenario B: 20kg Checked Bag
Assume mid-range summer pricing.
Ryanair:
€35 average per leg × 4 = €140
easyJet:
€25 average per leg × 4 = €100
Add flights:
- Ryanair total: €118 + €140 = €258
- easyJet total: €171 + €100 = €271
Now the difference shrinks to just €13.
Miss one pre-booking window and Ryanair becomes more expensive.
The Sneaky Extras Most Travelers Miss
1. Airport Location Costs
Ryanair often flies to secondary airports.
Example:
- Rome Ciampino → city center bus: €6, 40 min
- Rome Fiumicino (easyJet): Leonardo Express €14, 32 min
Ciampino is cheaper but slower and less comfortable. If you Uber from Ciampino, expect €30–€40.
Berlin is another example:
- BER airport train to city: €3.80, 30 min
- Taxi: €45, 25 min
No airline difference here—but add late-night arrivals and transport costs spike.
2. Seat Selection Pressure
Ryanair random seats are free—but groups are often split.
Seat selection: €4–€25 per flight.
easyJet: €5.99–€29.99 depending on row.
Over four legs, couples often spend €40–€80 just to sit together.
3. Check-In Rules
Ryanair airport check-in fee: around €55 if you forget online check-in.
easyJet: free online check-in 30 days before departure (with seat selection) or 24 hours prior without.
Pro tip: Set a calendar alert. Missing this is the most painful “budget” mistake.
Summer 2026 Reality: Why Fees Hurt More This Year
Fuel prices remain volatile in 2026, and both airlines quietly raised peak-season baggage tiers by €3–€8 compared to 2024.
June through August is maximum demand—Barcelona beach season, Amsterdam Pride prep, Berlin’s open-air festivals, Lisbon’s Santos Populares in June.
Flights fill fast. Lower baggage tiers sell out first. The later you book, the higher your luggage cost.
If you’re hopping between five countries, don’t forget mobile data. Roaming outside your EU home SIM can get pricey. We compared the best options in our Europe eSIM comparison for 2026—14 days across 5 countries costs $19–$49 depending on provider.
Ryanair vs easyJet: Who Wins?
If you travel ultra-light (small backpack only):
Ryanair wins. €118 total flights is hard to beat.
If you need a real cabin roller:
easyJet is less restrictive and slightly less stressful.
If you check a bag:
It’s nearly a tie—but easyJet is more predictable.
If you hate surprise fees:
easyJet feels more transparent.
If price is everything:
Ryanair still edges out—if you follow the rules perfectly.
How to Avoid Paying €200+ in Hidden Fees
- Pre-book bags immediately on Ryanair.com or easyJet.com—prices rise dynamically.
- Measure your bag (don’t guess). Ryanair’s sizers are unforgiving.
- Travel with compression packing cubes and wear your bulkiest items.
- Choose midweek flights (Tuesday/Wednesday are often €10–€25 cheaper).
- Fly into primary airports if transport savings outweigh fare difference.
Example: If Ryanair saves €20 but you spend €25 more on ground transport, you didn’t win.
My Honest Take After Doing This Route
For a 5-city summer trip, the real difference between Ryanair and easyJet isn’t €50 in fares—it’s stress tolerance.
Ryanair feels like a game. Follow every rule, measure every centimeter, check in exactly on time—and you’ll get the deal.
easyJet costs slightly more upfront but feels less punishing.
If you’re already spending €1,500–€2,000 on a 3-week Europe trip (accommodation €80–€150 per night, food €25–€40 per day, attractions €15–€25 each), saving €30 on flights isn’t worth a meltdown at the boarding gate.
Summer in Europe should be about Aperol in Rome and sunset in Lisbon—not arguing over 5cm of backpack space.
Final Verdict
For strict budget backpackers: Ryanair.
For balanced travelers doing a multi-city summer loop: easyJet.
Before you book, calculate the full trip cost—not just the headline fare.
Planning your own 2026 Europe summer route? Start comparing real totals, not teaser prices. And if you’re hopping countries, lock in your data plan early and your baggage even earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Ryanair charge for a 20kg bag in summer 2026?
Typically €18.99–€59.99 if booked online, depending on route and demand. At the airport, fees can exceed €69.99 per flight.
Is easyJet more expensive than Ryanair overall?
Base fares are usually €10–€15 higher per leg, but baggage fees are often slightly cheaper and more predictable. On a 4-flight trip, total costs often differ by less than €30.
Can you travel Europe for 2–3 weeks with only a free personal item?
Yes, but only with minimalist summer packing. Ryanair’s limit is 40x20x25cm—roughly a small backpack—so compression packing is essential.
When is the cheapest time to book summer flights in Europe?
For June–August travel, booking 6–10 weeks in advance typically secures the lowest baggage tiers and base fares. Prices spike sharply inside 3 weeks.
About the Author: redactor
Travel writer and founder of Discover Travel (distratech.com) — a blog covering travel, food & drink, and technology. With 250+ articles spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, I help travelers discover alternative destinations, hidden gems, and budget-friendly tips backed by real experience and data. Whether it's the best street food in Bangkok, Easter celebrations across Europe, or scenic train routes — I write to inspire smarter, more authentic travel.
